Printing telegraph apparatus



March 18, 1958 R. D. SALMON ETAL 2,827,511

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1954 4 sheets-sheet 1 Inventor: R. D. SALMON- L B.SALMON A ltorn ey March'18, 1958 R. D. SALMON ETAL 2,827,511

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors R. D. SALMON L B. SALMON A Item e y March 1958 R. D.-SALMON ETAL 2,827,511

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25--19 54 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

v Z/nel l 763 'I 4 80V M 5 C) M 3 LI 663 clutgh magnet d2 Q62 35 m4 7 m 156/ C? L lnveizlors R D. SALMON' LB. SALMON Attorney March 18, 1958 R. D. SALMON EI'AL 2,827,511

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (103 6a 2 MA (114/ c5 l A clutch magnet v Inventors R. D. SALMON SALMON) Aitorne y Unite grates PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Reginald Dennis Salmon and Leslie Bernard Salmon, Croydon, England, assignors to Creed and Company Limited, Croydon, England, a British company Application February 25, 1954, Serial No. 412,501

Claims priority, application Great Britain March 31, 1953 3 Claims. (Cl. 178-2) This invention relates to telegraphic apparatus.

Apparatus is known in which one or more message transmitters controlled by tape record material is or are associated with a message-numbering transmitter which sends an identifying serial number preceding each message from said message transmitter or transmitters.

In a known form of this kind of apparatus the messagenumbering transmitter is controlled by a tape perforated with a succession of serial numbers. When a tape is inserted in a message transmitter the first action is to start up the message-numbering transmitter which sends a figure-shift signal, one or more figure signals and a lettershift signal. The presence of the letter-shift signal is automatically recognised and results in the automatic starting up of a message transmitter. In the form of tape controlled transmitter hitherto used in this apparatus the peckers for sensing the perforations in the tape are raised simultaneously and their position is read ofi sequentially for transmission of the signal combination represented by the perforations. The presence of the lettershift signal combination in the tape is recognised by the fact that all five peckers are raised to their full extent.

One object of the present invention is to provide the same facilities in the case in which the tape controlled transmitters are of the type in which the peckers for sensing the tape are allowed to rise sequentially.

Another object of the invention is to extend the facility with such transmitters to enable a message numbering transmitter to be used for sending a serial designation which contains both letters and figures. In such case the letter-shift combination must be used as part of the serial designation and the only practicable way of separating serial designation is by a portion of blank tape. The present invention can be used to recognise such portion.

According to the present invention an arrangement for recognising the presence of a combination of elements, all of one kind, in perforated tape passing through a tape transmitter comprises an operating circuit for a relay including the transmitting contacts of the transmitter, which circuit is arranged to operate the relay on the occurrence of any element of another kind in the signal combination, a locking circuit for said relay, means for opening said locking circuit during a start element preceding a signal combination, and means operative during a stop element succeeding a signal combination for recognising the condition of said relay.

In carrying out the invention as applied to the association of a message-numbering transmitter with one or more message transmitters, each of the transmitters is preferably modified so that the cam sleeve controlling the peckers is driven through a magnet controlled clutch and is provided in known manner with a pecker to sense the presence of tape in the transmitter. A manually operated plunger which closes contacts for starting the sequence of operations, namely transmission of a messageidentification number followed by transmission of a message, is also associated with each message transmitter so that contacts operated by the plunger are also operated by the above mentioned pecker.

The operation of the invention Will be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows the circuits of a message-numbering transmitter for recognising the presence of a letter-shift perforation in the tape;

Figs. 2 and 3 show the circuits of respective message transmitters, associated with the message-numbering transmitter of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows the circuits of Fig. 1 modified for recognising the presence of a portion of blank tape.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figs. 1 to 3, the three transmitters are of the kind described in U. S. Patent No. 1,773,866, issued August 26, 1930, but modified by the control shaft being driven through a clutch controlled by a clutch magnet. The clutch magnets are denoted CM1, CM2, and CMS respectively. The cam sleeve is driven only when the clutch magnet is energised. The transmitting contacts of the three transmitters are shown at TCl, TC2 and TC? respectively. The outgoing line is shown at L, Fig. 3 and is connected to the moveable contact tongue of contacts TC3. The normal position of these transmitting contacts is mark, denoted by M.

Each of the message transmitters Figs. 2 and 3 is provided with a manually operable plunger key TOA or TOB operating the contacts shown when depressed. This plunger can be locked in depressed position. Attached to the upper contact blade operated by each plunger is a pecker P2 or P3 which rests against the underside of the tape in the transmitter.

Operation of the apparatus will first be described when using the message transmitter of Fig. 2 and the associated message-numbering transmitter of Fig. 1.

The operator first fully depresses and locks the plunger key TOA. Contacts 1 and 2 and also 4 and 5 are closed. Relay AA is operated from negative battery, over contacts c1, winding of AA, contacts 1 and 2 of TOA to ground. Relay AA locks over its own operated contacts aal, back contacts d1 to ground (relays C and D to which contacts 01 and all belong are shown in Fig. 1).

The message tape is then inserted into the transmitter and the plunger key TOA released. Contacts 1, 2 of this key open and contacts 2, 3 are closed. Contacts 4, 5 are kept closed by the pecker P2 resting on the underside of the tape.

Relay BA operates from negative battery over back contacts 11114 (of relay BB Fig. 3) front contacts aa2, contacts 5, 4, 3 and 2 of key TOA, ground. Relay BA locks itself over its contacts bal independently of relay AA.

The clutch magnet CMl (Fig. 1) of the message-numbering transmitter is energised from negative battery, back contacts 03, winding CM1, front contacts M2, M3, and ground.

The message-numbering transmitter is provided with pairs of cam-operated contacts, such as SS1 and SS2. In the arrangement shown contacts SS1 are normally closed but are open during the sending of the start element and for a few milliseconds thereafter. Contacts SS2 are normally open but are closed for the latter half of No. 5 element and for the first part of the sending of the stop element.

The energisation of the clutch magnet CMl causes the operation of the message-numbering transmitter. Signal combinations perforated in the tape can consist of a figureshift signal. followed by one or more figures, followed by the letter-shift signal.

The relay HS shown is a high speed relay having two windings. One side of the right hand winding is connected each character transmitted. When 'ope'rat eii'it locks over its left hand winding and contacts Thi'slockingcircuit is however interrupted at contacts S Si, during the sending of the start element. a

During the sending of a letter-shift'sigual, which is an all-marking combination, no circuit is closed -for relay HS and, during the sending of the stop element f'su cceeding a letter-shift, relay C operates overcontac'ts 852, and back contacts hsl. Contacts 01, Fig. -2"thef1eupon of a signal combination (i. e. the elements transmitted be, tween the start element and the stop element) a circuit is closed for relay HS. This relay therefore operates once for each character transmitted. When'operated it locks over contacts SS3 its left-hand winding and contacts hsl. Contacts SS3 are open during the middle of the start element but are closed during the remaining part open, relay AA de-energises and "opens'itscontac ts. The

opening of contactscS and M3, Fig. l breaks the circuit of clutch magnet CM-l and the message-"numbering transmitter (Fig. 1) comes to restf Closing 'ofback contacts aal, Fig. 2, prepares a circuit for-the clutch magnet CM2 of the message transmitter, Fig. 2 whichis completed by' back contact 01 when relay C isrele'ase'd.

The tape is automatically'fed through the message transmitter and contacts TCZ transmit the messagesignals to line L. 1

At the end of the message the tape will pass outof the transmitter, the pecker P2 will, in the absence of 'tape, rise to open contacts 4 and 5 of TOA. The icircuit of relay BA is broken; Contacts ba3 are 'opened a'nd' the clutch magnet CM2 de-energised.

In order to allow a second message transmitter, Fig. 3 to be used with the message-numberingtransmitter of Fig. 1, the circuit of relayBAFig. 2 includes backcontacts bb4 of a relay BB of Fig. 3 and'the circuit of relay "BB includes back contacts ba4'of relayBA. The circuits of Figs. 2 and 3 are otherwise alike, theoperatingcircuitsof relays AA and AB each including a'contactofreIayD, Fig. .1

When a tape is to be inserted in eithermessage 'trans- -mitter, the corresponding plunger key TOA or TOB is is operated when contacts 02 again close;

The message-numbering transmitter (Fig. 1 is provided with contacts TON which are closed Wherr -the tape runs out of the transmitter, by the action of a tape-sens ing pecker. These contacts are in the circuit of relay and when the contacts are closed, relay D operatesand opens contacts d1, Fig. 2, and contacts d2,.Fig. 3, to'prevent the respective message transmitters "res-m operating.

and closes contacts d3, Fig. .1, for an zilirfii'bell B.

Fig. 4 shows. the'eircuits ortheniessage numbering transmitter inth'e case in'which an all' tilngsignalfoh lows each serial number in the message-numberifigtape to indicate the end of the number. I a V I v v The relay HS is ahig h-s'peed relayha'ving"two vi'indings. One side of the right-hand winding, of relay HS'is'connected over contacts-SS1, when c losedflosp'a'cing potential, the other sideof thiswinding bein -connected some tongue of transmitting-contacts-Tcl I p Every signal combination (other Ztha'h'the nn spaeing combination) contains at least one marking leni'ent {so that o'nceat least during thetrfaris'mi's'sion of the elements of thesignal period. Thus during each start element'relay' HS is released and this relay is re-operated during the sending of a signal combination.

During the sending of an all-spacing signal, no circuit is closed for-relay HS. During the sending of a stop element-contacts SS2 are closed and if relay HS'ha's not operated during the earlier part of the signal period, relay C operates over these contacts and back contacts hsl.

Contacts 01, Fi 2, and c2 Fig. 3 thereupon open as previously described with the consequent release of relay andtransmissionof the message in the Message Transmitter. V V V While the principles of the invention have been described above in conne'ction 'withfspecific embodiments, and particular modifications thereof, it is to be clearly understood that'this description is made only by wayof example and not as a'limitati'on on the' scope of the invention.

What w'ecl'aim is:

1. 'Afteleg'r'aph transmission control system for a plug rality of interconnected .autornatic tape transn'iitters, "said transmitters comprising a message numbering transmitter and 'a message transmitter, said 'numbering 'trans'mitter comprising :sensing 'mearisfor sensing the presence of a combination of. signal co'de elements of identical character, said sensingimieans comprising a 'controlrel'ay, a pair of cyclically operated .cam contacts under control of said numbering'transmitter, transmitting'contact means associated with said. numbering transmitter afirst c0n-' trol circuit forisaid control relay'including said trans mitting contact'r'neans and one ofsaid cam'contacts,"said' control circuit completed at' fleast 'o'nce 'during e r signal combination of unlike 'codeelements transmitted by said numbering transmitter-{said circuit Opened during the signal combination of like elements, message transmit ter operating control meansfa second control circuit forv controlling said last named'means including the other of said cam controlledcontacts 'anda contact under control of said control relay, whereby the presence. of the *code combination of'i'dentical elements initiates operation of said control means, and the 'cyclic operation of said second cam contact disconnects said 'control'means.

2. A telegraph "transmission control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control relay comprises a double prising a transfer contact having its tongue connected to said source of said spacing-potential-and adapted to apply said'pot'ential to' said-message transmitter operating control means when-said control relay is deenergized.

References Cited the "file of this patent 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,983,965

"Hoover et a1 Dec. 11, 1934 2 ,116,506 7 cm a a1. 3. May 10, 1938 2416,549 zennernun; May'lO, 1938 

